I Will Fail You

"I Will Fail You"
Single by Demon Hunter
from the album Extremist
ReleasedApril 10, 2014
GenreAlternative metal
Length4:44
LabelSolid State
Songwriter(s)Ryan Clark, Patrick Judge
Producer(s)Jeremiah Scott,[1] Aaron Sprinkle
Demon Hunter singles chronology
"The Last One Alive"
(2014) 		"I Will Fail You"
(2014) 		"Cold Winter Sun"
(2016)

"I Will Fail You" is the third single by American Christian metal band Demon Hunter from their seventh studio album, Extremist. The song is the band's most commercially successful single to date.[2][3]

About

Vocalist Ryan Clark has said the song is about the scrutiny the band faces, and how they aren't "holy enough" for some people,[4] no matter how much they express their beliefs.[5]

Music video

The song's music video begins with vocalist Ryan Clark standing on the side of the road, looking distraught. As the song begins, he gets in the car and begins to sing the song's lyrics while driving. After the first chorus, it begins to rain. During the second chorus, the rain stops and Clark lights a cigarette, while still driving; after a while he takes some pills to keep him awake. Near the song's end, he starts to fall asleep and the video cuts to someone who has been tied up and gagged. As Clark falls asleep, the video pans out to reveal the person is sitting in the car next to him. As the video ends, the headlights of an oncoming car can be seen as the other man starts to panic.[6]

The video was directed by photographer Caleb Kuhl.[4]

Reception

Greg Kennelty of Metal Injection compared Clark's vocals to that of the late David Gold of Woods of Ypres. Kennelty said the pitch correction is noticeable, but overall declared the song to be good.[7] Axl Rosenberg of MetalSucks compared the song negatively to post-grunge band Staind.[8]

Chart performance

Chart (2014) Peak
positions
US Hot Christian Songs[2] 37
US Christian Digital Songs[3] 34

Personnel

  • Ryan Clark – vocals
  • Patrick Judge – lead guitar
  • Jeremiah Scott – rhythm guitar
  • Jon Dunn – bass
  • Timothy Watts – drums

References

  1. ^ "Buzztrack: Demon Hunter- "The Last One Alive"". RadioU. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  2. ^ a b "Demon Hunter - Chart History|Billboard". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  3. ^ a b "Demon Hunter - Chart History|Billboard". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  4. ^ a b "Demon Hunter, 'I Will Fail You': Exclusive Video Premiere". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. April 10, 2014. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  5. ^ "Demon Hunter: 'I Will Fail You' Video Released". Blabbermouth.net. April 10, 2014. Retrieved June 29, 2014.
  6. ^ "Demon Hunter - I Will Fail You". YouTube. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  7. ^ Kennelty, Greg (March 5, 2014). "DEMON HUNTER Realizes "I Will Fail You" with New Song". Metal Injection. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  8. ^ Rosenberg, Axl (March 4, 2014). "Demon Hunter Will "Fail You"". MetalSucks. Retrieved June 29, 2014.